Dahiya named Kolkata assistant coach

Vijay Dahiya, the former India wicketkeeper and current Delhi Ranji coach, has been appointed assistant coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders. The post of head coach remains vacant after the sacking of John Buchanan in July following a controversy-ridden IPL campaign in which Kolkata finished bottom of the table.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for someone like me," Dahiya told the Hindustan Times. "Whoever comes as chief coach would have had a lot of international exposure that I can benefit from."

Dahiya said his contract with Kolkata allowed him to continue coaching the Delhi Ranji team during the domestic season. "I wouldn't have been offered anything if it hadn't been for the opportunities I got with Delhi," he said. "So this has to come first during the season."

Kolkata have interviewed a string of high-profile candidates including former India coach John Wright, former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus and former Australian batsman Michael Bevan for the position of head coach, but are yet to announce Buchanan's replacement.